Wednesday, September 30, 2015

Colorful Crochet Lace by Mary Jane Hall

I probably have mentioned it before – I love crochet books!
I get a lot of ideas from books - not just patterns that I can make, because as
a designer, I usually just crochet my own patterns. Yes, what I get from crochet
books is a lot more than just patterns. I love books that have stitch diagrams
in them, because looking at the diagrams I can think of so many other things I
can make, using the stitch pattern or something similar to it. Stitch diagrams
give me ideas! So do schematics. Patterns that have schematics, pictures that
show how the projects are put together, I like, because the schematics also
give me ideas! Other patterns I like are ones that explain a new or different
technique, or stitch. I can learn a lot from them. I also like patterns that
give you choices. Do you want long sleeves or short sleeves? Do you want the
sweater to stop at your waist or your hips?. These choices help you make the
pattern your own.

When I was asked to review Mary Jane Hall's book Colorful Crochet Lace, I
thought "Oh, all the projects will be worked in Laceweight #0, or
Fingering weight #1 (Superfine) yarns. I don't work with those weights, so I
wasn't sure if I could write an unbiased review. When I received the book, I deliberately
checked on the yarn weights that were used in the patterns. I was pleasantly
surprised to see that many of the patterns used Sportweight #2, DK Weight #3,
and one even used Worsted Weight #4. So if you're used to working with #3 and
#4 yarns, you can start with those patterns, and then work some of the patterns
that call for #2 yarns. By the time you finish those, you won't have any
problem working with #1 and #0 weight yarns. So don't let the word
"Lace" scare you away. You can make lace patterns with any weight
yarns.

Then, after I settled that question, I looked to see if
there were stitch diagrams. Yes – there were. A lot of them. For each pattern.
They were excellent diagrams, too. They showed just what you need to make the
pattern, or to use the stitch pattern in another way. It was almost like
looking in a stitch dictionary. And schematics were there, also, when needed.
In fact, for one sweater, made from lacy squares, the Magnifique Modular Tunic,
there were 6 different schematics showing what you can make with the squares.
So, indeed, you can make this tunic 6 times, and have 6 different
garments!I wouldn't know which
one to crochet first.

And the patterns give you choices. Mary Jane doesn't just
leave it to you to figure out how to alter her patterns. She gives you good
hints and instructions about what to do.

For the Tres Chic neck warmer (above), she tells you how to make it taller and
wider.

For the Isabelle sleeveless tunic (above), she gives instructions for making it
shorter, or longer to make a dress. For the Dominique dress overlay, she gives
instructions for turning it into a crop top, a skirt, or a tunic. So even
though the cover of the book claims that there are 22 garments and accessories,
with all the variations that Mary Jane Hall provides, there are many, many more.
Here is the info about the book so you can order a copy for yourself. (You can order a hard copy or an ebook.)

Colorful Color Crochet: 22 Chic Garments & Accessories

By Mary Jane Hall

Interweave/F+W; $24.99

http://bit.ly/1JmdUp

By the way, I just checked the "order" link above, and the book is on sale. (September 30, 2015) Both the hard copy and the ebook. Who knows for how long! So if you want it, order it today!!!

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Straight From Today's Designers

About Me

I am a crochet designer, author, tech editor, and teacher - both locally and nationally. I am the Past President of the Crochet Guild of America (CGOA) - 2010 - and a teacher at their Chain Link Conferences.
The "Dr." title is legit - I do have a Ph.D.
I am also a Craftsy instructor. Check out my class at: www.craftsy.com/ext/MartyMiller_4809_F